Results 10,801-10,820 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Animal Health Policy: Animal Health Policy (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: There is a long history of co-operation between the administrations north and south on animal health issues. The administrations have traditionally shared information at local and national levels on disease control and surveillance issues and have worked together to combat illegal movements of animals and animal products. During the Foot and Mouth emergency of 2001 the co-operation and...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have no plans at present to commission any further evaluations on the economic implications of the use of genetically modified organisms other than the study carried out by Teagasc earlier this year. You will recall that Teagasc, at my request, carried out an evaluation of the possible national economic implications for the Agri-Food industry from the use of...
- Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The enforcement of food labelling regulations is centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), who ensure that the appropriate controls are carried out by the relevant official agencies. The official agencies include the Health Service Executive, my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the...
- Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The EU Commission presented proposals on the 22nd of November dealing with the banning of trade in cat and dog fur and the import and export of these products. In general I welcome the Commission's decision to propose legislation in this area but of course the detailed provisions will have to be discussed in the various EU fora in the period ahead.
- Written Answers — Horticulture Industry: Horticulture Industry (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The main fruit imports from outside the EU are bananas and the main imports from other EU Member States are apples and pears. The main vegetable imports from both outside the EU and from other Member States are onions, shallots, garlic and leeks. Total imports of fruit and vegetables were valued at â¬671m in 2005 and our exports in the same period were valued at â¬241.4m. My Department has...
- Written Answers — Agrifood Industry: Agrifood Industry (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Research and Development are central to the future well being of the agri-food sector and I am committed to building the Knowledge Economy in the Agri-Food sector. The important role of the sector is recognised in the Government Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013 and Research and Development is also central to the strategy outlined in the Agri-Vision Action Plan,...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Nitrates Regulations are themselves unavoidably complex. Considerable efforts were made in the explanatory booklet to put the requirements of the Regulations in clear and straightforward terms. There are no plans to review the booklet, which has already issued to 140,000 farmers. My officials, along with Teagasc staff, are currently holding public meetings for farmers all over the...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Payments are currently being made under two Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. I recently announced substantial increases in the maximum pension rates payable under both Schemes to take effect from 1 November 2006. I have decided to increase the maximum pension rate payable under the 1994â99 Scheme from â¬12,075 to â¬14,075 and the maximum pension rate payable under the current...
- Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Irish dairy industry continues to contribute very substantially to the national economy, with an annual output value of some â¬2.3 billion. In 2005 Irish dairy exports performed exceptionally well totalling â¬2 billion, despite downward adjustments to EU market supports brought about by the implementation of the mid-term reform of the CAP. After a number of successful years, 2006 has...
- Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Department of Agriculture and Food, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the Scheme, compliance with EU legislation in the areas of the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good...
- Written Answers — Water Meters: Water Meters (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has had no formal discussions with the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the installation of water meters on farms. However, my Department has included the installation of water retention equipment on farms as an eligible investment under the proposed new Farm Improvement Scheme which will be introduced next year as part of the 2007-2013 Rural...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: As I have indicted to this House on previous occasions EU legislation on the cultivation of GM crops does not provide for the declaration of a GM free country or region. This legislation has been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers and is binding on all Member States. There are, however, options available to restrict the growing of GM crops within regions of a...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: As indicated in an earlier reply regarding payments due to the person named, the Single Payment Scheme has replaced the old livestock schemes, including the Extensification Premium Scheme. An application under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 5 May 2006. The 50% advance payment issued to the person named on 16 October 2006. The balancing payments are due...
- Written Answers — Avian Flu: Avian Flu (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: A total of 110 applications were submitted to my Department by the 29 September deadline under the compensation measures introduced for poultry producers due to the fall-off in consumption arising from concerns in regard to avian influenza. My Department is processing the claims, including conducting on-site inspections, and will pay those that are eligible as soon as possible. The industry...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I am firmly of the view that there is great potential for development of local and regional food economies, which is why I have established a regional food fora initiative involving my Department, Bord Bia and the other food development agencies. The first forum was held in Donegal in late 2005 on the theme of Market Focus for small food enterprises. Speakers shared experiences on regional...
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: A revised Farm Waste Management Scheme was launched by my Department on 24 March 2006 as part of the arrangements to enable farmers meet the additional requirements of the Nitrates Directive. The principal changes to the Scheme include: (a) an increase in the standard grant-rate from 40% to 60%, with 70% being available in the four Zone C counties; (b) an extension of the Scheme for the...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The only incident where animal feed containing illegal genetically modified organisms was imported into this country was the 2,500 tonne consignment of maize gluten from the USA in May 2005 which contained the non authorised genetically modified maize line called Bt10. Having received prior notification of its importation from the importers officials of my Department were able to supervise...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: In the case of on-farm investments, grants are available to eligible farmers under my Department's Farm Waste Management Scheme, Dairy Hygiene Scheme, Alternative Enterprises Scheme, Pig Welfare Scheme and Pilot Waste Processing Facilities Scheme. REPS 3 closed to new applications on 13 October 2006 to allow all applications on hand to be processed before the end of the year. It is proposed...
- Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Stringent traceability systems are implemented by my Department in relation to animal products produced in Ireland. The enforcement of all food labelling regulations has been centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and any cases of non-compliance are brought to the attention of that Agency. The enforcement of these regulations is carried out through a number service...
- Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Maintaining Ireland's acknowledged high status in relation to animal health is of critical importance given the economic and social significance of agriculture to the country. In this connection my Department has a number of disease prevention, eradication and surveillance schemes in place to ensure that this high health status is protected and maintained. EU approved programmes for the...